PREFACE. 
The magnificent Collection, a part of which forms the subject of 
the present Catalogue, was carefully studied by the late Dr. S. P. 
Woodward, who devoted himself to the Mollusca and took a special 
interest in the Cephalopoda during the seventeen years (from 1848 
to I860) in which he was connected with the Geological Depart- 
ment. In subsequent years many large and important accessions 
have been made from time to time to this series, but owing to 
want of space only a small portion of the Collection was ever 
exhibited in the British Museum, Bloomsbury. In the fine Ex- 
hibition Gallery’ at present devoted to this Class the Collection 
can be admirably seen and studied in a series of sixteen table- 
and fourteen wall-cases, and the specimens are now being specially 
mounted and labelled in such a manner as will form a salient 
feature in the Geological Department. 
It is confidently hoped that the present Catalogue may prove 
a substantial contribution to our knowledge of the Class, and that 
the addition of descriptions will enhance its value to the student. 
Mr. Foord has diligently worked at the literature of the subject, 
and has spared neither time nor labour in clearing-up the many 
diflScult points connected with the priority of names and in the 
verifying of generic and specific determinations. His facility 
as a draughtsman has also enabled him to delineate readily the 
many minute points in the form or structure of these camerated 
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